Macbook Top Case Crack: Is it resolved?

[Mac.hiavellian]

Up to 36 months old? Info Please!

Got mine fixed in July 2010. (...) Apple's policy is that they will fix it if it's 36 months old (from either date of purchase or last topcase repair) for free (...)

How? Where?? Mine is 30 months old right now, I had the top case changed 3 TIMES already, last time this last May. I am always very careful with my Mac however it seriously needs a 4th one, ugh... I am hating it. I live in USA but I cant find any info about that 36-months-old thing.. so hows that?

 

[bigtallbloke]

Hi I just wanted to say thanks for your inspiration to get mine fixed, even though it second hand.
Its a late 2006 Macbook and had cracks along the edge of where my right hand sits. Booked an Appointment at Apple Southampton (UK) and was told they would replace the keyboard top case FOC (although they wouldnt swap it to a white one sadly). They had it in stock and phoned me a day later to say it was ready to collect. Usual cost £55 top case and £24 fitting.
Bear in mind this is a 4 year old machine, that is beyond 36months.
Thanks

 

[dakaki]

Wow, what a pleasant surprise! I took my Macbook which I have owned since July of 2007 to the Apple Store yesterday and they were courteous and offered to replace the top case and the plastic around the LCD for no charge. Definitely makes me want to buy another Mac next time around. Thanks Apple!

 

[Redsand187]

Has anyone had any luck getting the top cases replaced out of warranty by a authorized service provider? The closest apple store is 95 miles away.

I just picked up a MacBook 2,1 2.16Ghz, 120gb, 4gb for $200. But the top case has small cracking. I have a MacBook 3,1 that had the same problem. My ASP did it no questions asked, but the machine has apple care. I'm just wondering if they would be able to do it, or if it's typically just an Apple Store that is able to authorize the warranty out of warranty.

 

[Detrius]

Has anyone had any luck getting the top cases replaced out of warranty by a authorized service provider? The closest apple store is 95 miles away.

I just picked up a MacBook 2,1 2.16Ghz, 120gb, 4gb for $200. But the top case has small cracking. I have a MacBook 3,1 that had the same problem. My ASP did it no questions asked, but the machine has apple care. I'm just wondering if they would be able to do it, or if it's typically just an Apple Store that is able to authorize the warranty out of warranty.

As someone who actually works for an Apple Authorized Service Provider, I can say that yes, they'll replace it too. Apple does put different expectations on AASPs, though. That is, if we were to replace the top case, and then you bring it in next week needing a fan replaced, an AASP would be penalized for not fixing it the first time. Therefore, you should expect you'll have to drop it off so that they can test out the whole machine, whereas it's theoretically possible an actual Apple Store may have been able to do it while you wait.

Additionally, it's not up to the AASP whether it's covered--it's up to Apple. If they try to order the part from Apple, but Apple says it's not covered (which does happen on some of the oldest MacBooks), then there's little they can do.

 

[zildjansg]

will my 13" Macbook white Intel Core Duo 1.83ghz (Macbook1,1)still be valid to replaced the top casing?will they still cover even if the APP has long been expired?

 

[nospeed411]

I am curious to see how this plays out....I just purchased a white 2.0 c2d machine for my daughter as a birthday present. I forsee the case getting cracked the first time she pops the lid shut. If so it will be nice to see if they will replace it.

 

[Redsand187]

Just and update. I happened to have a reason to head over to the other side of the state where the Apple Stores are. I brought in my mid 2007 macbook 2,1 and just asked the guy at the genius bar if there is anything they could do about it. He told me "no problem,"and "it will be ready in about an hour." When I came back, they handed me the computer and had me sign the workorder/invoice and all was good. No one even mentioned it being out of warranty. Even if it had AppleCare, it would have been expired by now. So, my experience is that they don't have any issues with replacing the top case as long as the machine is in decent shape. I'd imagine they will continue to do so until they run out of parts, which I doubt they are manufacturing any more. So I wouldn't wait too long.

 

[Mwright]

Cracked bottom case

My white macbook has a cracked BOTTOM case. I took it to the Genius bar and they said it would cost $400+ to fix if they sent it out and $115 if I had them replace the bottom case (and the top one for free).

I'm not paying for this so I'll just duct tape it together.